Thailand's Social Security Office has announced revisions to its old-age pension formula, confirming the adoption of the CARE formula to compensate those receiving lower payouts, with payments beginning in the next period.

On July 14, 2025, Social Security Office Secretary-General Kanjana Poolkaew revealed the pension formula improvements cover several key issues. The office adjusted calculations for those who contributed for fewer than 12 months, allowing them to receive benefits from both employee and employer contributions plus earnings, instead of only their own share. For contributors exceeding 180 months, the office reformed the pension rate calculation, changing from a 1.5% increase per completed 12-month period to a 0.125% monthly increase based on actual contribution months, better aligning benefits with contribution duration.

Another major change involves adjusting the wage base used for pension calculations from the average of the final 60 months before retirement to the lifetime average of all contribution months, with past wages adjusted to current value before applying CARE principles. This reflects lifetime earnings and reduces disparities from late-career income shifts. A five-year transition protection has been established for new retirees whose new-formula pensions fall below the old formula, providing tapering compensation starting at 100% in the first year and declining to 20% in the fifth year.

For current retirees, if recalculation under the new formula results in higher benefits, the Social Security Office will increase their pensions in the next payment period, though no retroactive payments will be made for past periods. This pension formula revision represents a significant step toward developing a fairer and more modern Thai social security system aligned with changing economic conditions, ensuring sustainable income security for workers after retirement.

High-ranking government and police officials witnessed the public burning of confiscated drugs on July 14, 2026, in a ceremony presided over by Health Minister Pipat Prom-Pattana and attended by Deputy Police Chief General Samran Nualma and the director of the National Drug Control Coordination Centre. Deputy Police Chief Samran stated that the operation aimed to build public confidence that all seized narcotics, especially methamphetamine and heroin, are systematically and transparently destroyed after being used as evidence in criminal proceedings. He acknowledged that some citizens have mistakenly believed that confiscated drugs might be returned to the system or sold again, and said that opening the drug destruction process to media witnesses affirms the transparency of Thailand's drug elimination procedures and corrects public misunderstanding.

Commuters have reason to celebrate as Chao Phraya Express Boat reduces all ticket prices by an additional 1 baht in response to falling diesel costs. On July 14, Navaratri Charoen Prom, managing director of Chao Phraya Express Boat Co., Ltd., announced that because diesel prices have dropped to 34.99 baht per liter as of July 8, the company is cutting fares across all boat types by 1 baht from their previous rates, effective Friday, July 17. The new fares are: Orange Flag boats on the Nonthaburi–Wat Rajsingkram route drop from 18 to 17 baht throughout the line; Yellow Flag boats on the Nonthaburi–Sathorn route fall from 23 to 22 baht; Green-Yellow Flag boats see reductions across three routes (Pak Kret–Nonthaburi from 16 to 15 baht, Nonthaburi–Sathorn from 23 to 22 baht, and Pak Kret–Sathorn from 35 to 34 baht); and Red Flag air-conditioned boats on the Nonthaburi–Sathorn route decrease from 32 to 31 baht. The company stated that if diesel prices fall further, it will implement additional fare reductions. Passengers can stay updated on service information, schedules, and routes through the Chao Phraya Express Boat Facebook page or LINE: @cpxcare.

The Thai Internal Trade Department is convening talks with Blue Flag restaurant operators and fresh market associations to find solutions for affordable curry rice meals. Internal Trade Secretary-General Wityakorn Manirat announced that the department will meet with food vendors and market representatives on July 15 to hear their concerns and gather proposals for managing curry rice prices.

The discussions will focus on identifying specific challenges facing curry rice vendors and determining how the Commerce Ministry can assist, whether through subsidizing cooking gas and electricity costs or by connecting fresh ingredients directly from farmers to restaurants to eliminate middleman markups. The department is currently compiling feedback to develop suitable programs.

The department currently operates approximately 5,000 Blue Flag budget restaurants nationwide and maintains a network of about 200 fresh markets in Bangkok, surrounding areas, and major cities. Officials are considering whether to expand the Blue Flag restaurant program further. Regarding consumer product price reductions following recent oil price cuts, the department noted it already has price ceiling controls for regulated goods, with many items currently trading below set maximums. For other products under review, the department acknowledged prices may not drop immediately with oil reductions but expects major retailers to lower prices soon, having previously requested they review merchandising fees to reduce supplier costs.

The Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Thailand announced Thailand's readiness to host the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, dubbed the "Financial Olympics," scheduled for October 12-18, 2026 at the Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok. Over 15,000 participants from 191 countries—including policymakers, economists, government officials, private sector leaders, and media—will gather to exchange views on global economic direction, building on Thailand's successful hosting of the inaugural meeting in 1991.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanpraphas emphasized that hosting this conference presents a significant opportunity to strengthen the nation economically, enhance Thailand's international image and credibility, showcase local communities globally, and advance sustainable development. Thailand's central theme, "New Horizons for Thailand: Empowering People and Building Readiness for Change," integrates the philosophy of sufficiency economy with balanced, sustainable, and people-centered global economic approaches.

The Thai government has aligned its financial policy vision with four strategic pillars addressing current global challenges: (1) digital and artificial intelligence transition for inclusive and resilient growth, positioning Thailand as a model through public infrastructure like digital payment systems and Cross-Border QR codes; (2) expanding Thailand's role as a regional connector and trusted hub for trade, finance, and investment in Asia, with flexible supply chains and new cooperation frameworks; (3) creating new financial architecture to support climate change adaptation and energy transition; and (4) turning demographic and economic changes from aging populations into opportunities for economic growth and financial preparedness.

Another key highlight is showcasing Thai identity and soft power through distinctive textiles selected from 21 provinces and 26 communities across 37 unique patterns, alongside premium Thai jasmine rice, to leave a lasting impression on international participants.

The Po Teck Tung Foundation signed its second Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Women's Affairs and Family Development on July 14, 2026, to support vocational equipment and training for women, men, and families in need. Led by foundation vice-chairman Sak Gor-siang-ruang and attended by department director Jatuporn Rojnpanich and other senior officials, the agreement aims to help single parents and caregivers build sustainable livelihoods and support their families.

Foundation vice-chairman Sak Gor-siang-ruang noted that rising unemployment in Thailand affects both women and men, creating broader economic and social challenges. Over the past three years, the foundation has distributed vocational equipment worth over 6.2 million baht to 326 individuals and families. In 2026 alone, equipment has been distributed to seven locations benefiting 130 people, with five more locations scheduled to receive assistance before year's end.

The foundation expressed hope that the "Career Promotion for Women and Families" program will create sustainable livelihoods and improve quality of life for individuals, families, communities, and society at large. For more information, the public can contact the foundation via Facebook at www.facebook.com/atpohtecktung or the Po Teck Tung hotline at 1418.